27 Feabh 2014, 10:08
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade has this afternoon welcomed the resumption of talks between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders earlier this month, which are aimed at re-uniting the island.
27 February 2014
Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart Dervis Erogluy issued a Joint Statement, following a meeting at a UN compound in Nicosia on 11 February.
Chairman of the Committee Pat Breen TD says: “The resumption of structured talks between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders is to be warmly welcomed. The Joint Statement issued following their meeting notes that the status quo is no longer acceptable. It reflects the determination of both leaders to resume negotiations in a results-oriented manner. Committee Members this afternoon are encouraged by the goodwill apparent on both sides to work with purpose towards a lasting settlement. I passed on these sentiments to Dr Michalis Stavrinos, Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to Ireland, with whom I met earlier in the week.
“The Committee anticipates both sides will be fully supported in the re-unification process by the international institutions such as the UN and EU, as well by the governments in Athens and Ankara.”
Media enquiries to:
Paul Hand,
Communications Unit,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade
Deputies:
Pat Breen, Fine Gael (Chairman)
Eric Byrne, Labour
Bernard Durkan, Fine Gael (Vice-Chairman)
Seán Crowe, Sinn Féin
Olivia Mitchell, Fine Gael
Gerald Nash, Labour
Dan Neville, Fine Gael
Brendan Smith, Fianna Fáil
Maureen O’Sullivan, Independent
Senators:
Deirdre Clune, Fine Gael
Mark Daly, Fianna Fáil
Lorraine Higgins, Labour
Michael Mullins, Fine Gael
David Norris, Independent
Jim Walsh, Fianna Fáil